Foto: The entrance of the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Russia - Today is the first Thursday of the month, which means all museums in Russia are free. That includes the Hermitage. At the entrance, it’s clear many people are aware of this—we join a long line in the inner courtyard. The ticket counters are about to open. Inside, I receive a free entry ticket and buy a special photo permit to take pictures. After dropping off my backpack at the cloakroom, I step into the most famous museum in the world: the Hermitage. But where to start? The museum is massive. We let ourselves wander through the halls. Up the main staircase, designed by Rastrelli, we reach the first floor (called the second here). Unfortunately, the grand staircase is under scaffolding. I’m impressed by the palace—each hall is beautiful in its own right, and I almost overlook the incredible art collection. The Throne Room of Peter the Great, the magnificent St. George’s Hall, and the State Apartments—all absolutely stunning. In the Dutch painters section, located in the New Hermitage building, we see works by Frans Hals, Jan Steen, and Jacob van Ruisdael. At the end of the hall hang Rembrandt masterpieces. I’ve never seen so many Rembrandts together. The better-known works like The Return of the Prodigal Son and The Sacrifice of Abraham hang opposite each other. I’m surprised the light from the windows reflects off the paintings, diminishing their impact. In the Pavilion Hall, we see the Peacock Clock, then move on to the Italian section, where Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna hangs. Passing through the Raphael Loggias and skylight halls, we descend the State Staircases for lunch. Everything is so overwhelming that a break is necessary. In the afternoon, we focus on the Winter Palace itself: the Italian Hall, the Blue Alexander Hall, and the Golden Salon (the name speaks for itself). In the modern art section, we find works by Gauguin, Matisse, and Picasso. We end in the Malachite Room and leave the Hermitage shortly after three. There’s still so much we haven’t seen—but it’s simply impossible to take in more.
Video
Saint Petersburg
Russia - Crossing the bridge, we arrive at the Ivan Gate, which gives access to the fortress. It was here in 1703 that Peter the Great gave the order to build the city of Saint Petersburg. Over the years, the bastion also served to imprison and torture numerous ...
The Altai Mountains
Russia - We return to the hotel a little too late for checkout, but it turns out to be no problem. We say goodbye to the owner and drive out of Gorno-Altaisk into the Altai Mountains. As soon as we hit the road, it starts to rain. A pity for the view with those ...
The far east Vladivostok
Russia - The traffic on the way to Vladivostok gets busier and busier. Fortunately, the road also improves. The final stretch is even a four-lane highway. We enter the city via a long bridge. Vladivostok is much larger than I had imagined. In the city center, ...
The Kremlin and Red Square
Russia - The Kremlin in Moscow is the geographical and historical heart of the Russian capital. The name Kremlin comes from the Russian word кремль (kreml), meaning fortified city center. While in Dutch the term usually refers to the Moscow Kremlin, other ...